Rajasthan Royals cemented their spot at the top of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 points table, thanks to an unbeaten 121-run partnership between Sanju Samson and Dhruv Jurel against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Ekana Cricket Stadium on Saturday. While skipper Samson led the charge, scoring a 33-ball 71 against Lucknow, Jurel proved why he is also a capable T20 batter, with a fine half-century. While Samson drew most plaudits, Jurel earned the tag of ‘Jewel’ by former India each coach Ravi Shastri.
“This Jurel is a Jewel for Indian cricket. Right now and going ahead into the future. Serious Dude,” Jurel wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
This Jurel is a Jewel for Indian cricket. Right now and going ahead into the future. Serious Dude. @dhruvjurel21 @IPL #LSGvsRR #IPL2024 pic.twitter.com/s5wtonE88L
— Ravi Shastri (@RaviShastriOfc) April 28, 2024
RR captain Samson scored the highest for RR with an unbeaten 71 off 33 while Jurel played a blistering knock of 52 runs in 34 deliveries. LSG bowlers missed their mark and were further broken apart due to multiple dropped catches.
Chasing a target of 197, openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Jos Buttler got Rajasthan Royals off to a flying start in the powerplay.
LSG captain KL Rahul opted to stick to pace, as he brought Yash Thakur for the last over of powerplay and the bowler provided his team with a big breakthrough, dismissing the in-form Jos Buttler in his very first over.
In the seventh over, RR lost both their openers as Marcus Stoinis dismissed Yashasvi Jaiswal on his very first ball of the night. KL Rahul finally opted to make a shift to spin, as he brought Krunal Pandya into the attack and the bowler delivered an economical over, conceding 7 runs.
The 41-year-old Amit Mishra announced his arrival in style, as he dismissed Ryan Parag and added further pressure on RR’s run-chase. Dhruv Jurel showed some much-needed explosiveness at the crease, running an onslaught against Mohsin Khan, slamming three boundaries and one six.
Samson slammed a half-century in 28 balls while Jurel continued his impressive form as he bagged his maiden IPL fifty in 31 balls. In the 19th over of the game, Samson and Jurel slammed a four and six to guide their team home with a 7-wicket victory against the home team.
With ANI inputs
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